Bill_J

This is a great diorama Marly. I really like the way you've managed to blend with the backscene and the use of colour and black & white - very "Summer Holiday"

The signal box at Burghclere had an internal staircase, entry was at ground level. I have this kit from the Hornby mag, but it needs quite a bit of work to make it correct for the D N & S. These boxes were built at most of the stations between Newbury and Winchester (Chesil) during the wartime upgrades. I have some photos I can upload - when I find them...

I like what you've done so far with this. I too, am experimenting with re-purposed packing materials, different methods from the usual - and I use cat litter for ballast. I very much like the fantasy element too. Look forward to seeing more. Regards, Bill

My other half is Greek/Canadian. You can insult a Canadian by asking "Are you American?", but strangely not the other way round. My father-in-law, also Greek/Canadian, cannot understand most British accents (especially when it suits him not to do so). Regional accents/dialects everywhere, can differ greatly in any country. After living in Hampshire for the last forty-five years, I have a very developed Hampshire hog accent. When I fist settled here however, I had very little accent so was considered to 'talk posh'.

That's a good start for a return to the hobby. You'll find lots of support here, and plenty of inspiration. Regards Bill

Especially if you could make his legs move....

AFAIR from my reading, all train movements to/from and between the various Southampton docks were preceded by a flagman and thus at walking speed. Could be interesting to model...

The balloon is a great addition to a really nice layout. I really like the height your model has, it gives it a real presence that is often lacking in small layouts and dioramas - (including my own; when I can find time to do more). Regards

Totally agree with these comments. What a cracking little layout. I think that more and more people are taking up these little projects, as a test bed for ideas and modelling techniques. They are less likely to offend other members of the household and make for a decorative end product. Also, they are a lot of fun if you're not into running long trains round and round a circle, but just want to spend half an hour or so, playing trains. Looking forward to the next installment. Regards, Bill

I often used to watch shunting at Millbrook (Southampton), slower than walking pace, maybe be 2 or 3 mph was common. What they could shift at those low speeds though, was quite incredible.

David Thank you for sharing your background with us in such a frank manner. So pleased that you have a project to get your teeth into, and look forward to watching your progress. I can empathise with your recent history as I am sure many others can. I too have been where you were and am trying to model my way out of my "doldrums". Why, RMweb, can we only select one of the 'reactions'? So often I am torn between two... Regards, Bill.

Hi Marly I agree that my "Rest Stop" would fit with the holidays theme and I'm trying find time to return to this, as soon as I have the track down on my Micro. Regards

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out...

Thanks for that Brian. I understand what you were saying, sometimes people feel the need to 'big themselves up', or to convince others that they were there. I believe that the reticence in talking about their experiences during times of conflict, is, and always has been, very common amongst servicemen and women. Regards, Bill

My maternal grandfather served in the Pay Corps. He was a soldier first and foremost, was taken prisoner by the Japanese at the fall of Singapore, and was sent to the infamous railway, he survived that, just, but lost many friends and comrades. After repatriation he served in Berlin in the later forties and into the fifties before retiring with the rank of Major (they dropped you two ranks upon retirement back then). He never really spoke about his experiences in the war. Regards